14. 6. 2024
The BioAgro project, focused on biopolymers for agrochemical applications
The BioAgro project, focused on biopolymers for agrochemical applications, is funded by the Technology Agency of the Czech Republic and is part of the broader program “National Centre of Competence for Polymer Materials and Technologies for the 21st Century.” The main goal of the project is to develop an ecological fertilizer that gradually releases nutrients – so-called slow-release fertilizer.
Fertilizers are crucial for providing plants with essential macronutrients like nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium, with nitrogen being particularly important for plant growth. However, a significant issue is the inefficient absorption of fertilizers by crops and the uncontrolled leakage of nutrients (especially nitrogen compounds) into the soil, water, and air, leading to ecological problems. Excessive fertilizer use causes soil acidification, contamination of water sources, and atmospheric pollution. This negatively impacts the environment, biodiversity, climate, and the health of animals and humans.
Possible solutions include reducing meat consumption, optimizing livestock feed, improving agronomic practices (such as balanced fertilizer use, crop rotation, and precision farming), and, importantly, the use of slow-release fertilizers. These fertilizers gradually release nutrients, minimizing losses due to volatilization (nitrogen loss through ammonia evaporation) and leaching. As a result, the nutrients are used more efficiently by plants, and the fertilizers can be applied in smaller doses. Researchers can also control the rate at which nutrients are released, according to the specific needs of the crop, thus reducing fertilizer consumption and the carbon footprint of farming.
Within the project, Dr. Soňa Kontárová is involved in planning and conducting experiments together with her colleague Jiří Krhut and other team members. She is also responsible for data evaluation, project documentation, and administrative tasks.
“Collaboration on this project has been very beneficial to me in terms of new experiences. As a material chemist, I didn’t have much experience with fertilizers, but through the collaboration with Mendel University and my ongoing studies, we have learned a great deal of interesting information. I hadn’t fully realized how important fertilizers are on a global scale and how many billions of people rely on them to survive. Unfortunately, this is offset by ecological and other issues. It’s a very interesting topic that challenges me to take a broader interdisciplinary perspective,” says Dr. Kontárová.
The project focuses on the development of a biopolymer material used to coat nitrogen fertilizer granules so that the fertilizer is released gradually in the soil. This material is based on natural polymers – polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHA), which are used by many microorganisms as energy reserves. A typical representative of PHA is poly-3-hydroxybutyrate, which is fully biodegradable in soil, freshwater, and saltwater.
The granules of conventional nitrogen fertilizer are coated with a thin layer of PHA, which does not form microplastics in the soil and does not accumulate, thus preventing soil pollution. This biopolymer coating, based on PHA, complies with the new EU legislation, is acceptable for soil application, and will replace polymer coatings that are not biodegradable in the soil. Furthermore, it is designed to be produced primarily from renewable (or even waste) raw materials in the future.
After reviewing scientific literature, researchers have focused on identifying the optimal technological procedure for preparing these slow-release fertilizers. This includes selecting an appropriate solvent and dissolving the natural polymer poly-3-hydroxybutyrate at higher temperatures and pressures. The resulting solution is then applied to the fertilizer granules. This can be achieved in the laboratory using a method called dip coating (dipping into the polymer solution).
The technological procedure can also be applied in industrial production. To simulate industrial production, a coating rotary drum was used, which enables faster and more industry-applicable coating of fertilizer granules, similar to the process used for chocolate coating. Coating in a fluidized bed has also been successfully tested.
The project has significant application potential, especially considering the growing global population and the need to balance increasing food production with ecological concerns. For Dr. Kontárová, the meaningfulness of the research is the greatest motivation.
“A big driving force is also the excellent team from the Bioplastics Laboratory led by Radek Přikryl. This team of inspiring individuals is not only working on the slow-release fertilizer project in BioAgro but also on many other exciting projects related to the practical application of polyhydroxyalkanoates and other bioplastics, which can be used, for example, in tissue engineering or cosmetics. We are also exploring new methods of mechanical and chemical recycling of both conventional plastics and bioplastics. We are strong advocates of circular economy and sustainable development and aim for a world where plastics and bioplastics are handled both ecologically and economically. Furthermore, there is a great, friendly atmosphere within the team, which is one of the main reasons why I enjoy working here,” says Dr. Kontárová with a smile.
The project has a huge potential for practical application, especially given the growing global population and the need to balance food production with ecological concerns. For Dr. Kontárová, the meaningfulness of the research is the greatest motivation.
A number of scientists, research institutions, and industrial partners are involved in the project. FCH VUT is collaborating with teams from the University of Chemical Technology in Prague, Mendel University in Brno, the Centre of Organic Chemistry, the Czech Chemical Industry Association, the Plastics Cluster, and the Chemical-Technology Research Institute in Šaľa. Industrial partners include Ethanol Energy, SYNPO, and communication is underway with Lovochemie.
“Without these great people, it would not be possible to work and move the project forward. I would especially like to mention Radek Přikryl, Silvestr Figalla, Jiří Krhut, Štěpán Krobot, Vojta Jašek, Alžběta Kecíková, Eliška Kameníková, Přemek Menčík, and Veronika Melčová. The BioAgro project also builds on the previous MPO Trio project and the bachelor thesis by Magda Bobková,” adds Dr. Kontárová.
